Accident management following loss-of-coolant accidents during cooldown in a Westinghouse two-loop PWR

Operation of pressurised water reactors involves shutdown periods for refuelling and maintenance. In preparation for this, the reactor system is cooled down, depressurised and partially drained. Although reactor coolant pressure is lower than during full-power operation, there remains the possibility of a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), with a certain but low probability. While the decay heat to be removed is lower than that from a LOCA at full power, the reduced availability of safety systems implies a risk of failing to maintain core cooling, and hence of core damage. This is recognised though probabilistic safety analyses (PSA), which identify low but non-negligible contributions to core damage frequency from accidents during cooldown and shutdown. Analyses are made for a typical two-loop Westinghouse PWR of the consequences of a range of LOCAs during hot and intermediate shutdown, 4 and 5 h after reactor shutdown respectively. The accumulators are isolated, while power to some of the pumped safety injection systems (SIs) is racked out. The study assesses the effectiveness of the nominally assumed SIs in restoring coolant inventory and preventing core damage, and the margin against core damage where their actuation is delayed. The calculations use the engineering-level MELCOR1.8.5 code, supplemented by the SCDAPSIM and SCDAP/RELAP5 codes, which provide a more detailed treatment of coolant system thermal hydraulics and core behaviour. Both treatments show that the core is readily quenched, without damage, by the nominal SI which assumes operation of only one pump. Margins against additional scenario and model uncertainties are assessed by assuming a delay of 900 s (the time needed to actuate the remaining pumps) and a variety of assumptions regarding models and the number of pumps available in conjunction with both MELCOR and versions of SCDAP. Overall, the study provides confidence in the inherent robustness of the plant design with respect to LOCA during cooldown to cold shutdown, and in the validity of a two-tier calculational method. The results have been directly used in updating the plant shutdown PSA, by changing the success criteria for core cooling during cooldown of the plant and showing a reduction in overall risk.     

Safety analysis of LBLOCA in BDBA scenarios for the Bushehr's VVER-1000 nuclear power plant

This paper presents the results of thermal-hydraulic calculations of a large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) analysis for a VVER-1000/V446 unit at Bushehr nuclear power plant (BNPP). LBLOCA is analysis in two different beyond design basis accident (BDBA) scenarios using the RELAP5/MOD3.2 best estimate code. The scenarios are LBLOCA with station blackout (SBO) and LBLOCA with pump re-circulation blockage which have been evaluated in the final safety analysis report (FSAR) of BNPP. A model of VVER-1000 reactor based on Unit 1 of BNPP has been developed for the RELAP5/MOD3.2 thermal-hydraulics code consists of 4-loop primary and secondary systems with all their relevant sub-systems important to safety analysis. The analysis is performed without regard for operator's actions on accident management. The safety analysis is carried out and the results are checked against the acceptance criteria which are the possibility of using water inventory in the emergency core cooling system (ECCS) accumulators and the KWU tanks for core cooling and the available time to operators before the maximum design limit of fuel rod cladding damage is reached. These kinds of analyses are performed to provide the response of monitored plant parameters to identify symptoms available to the operators, timing of the loss of critical safety functions and timing of operator actions to avoid the loss of critical safety functions of core damage. The results of performed analyses show that the operators have 2.9 and 3.1 h for LBLOCA with SBO and LBLOCA with pump re-circulation blockage scenarios, respectively, before the fuel rod cladding rupture. The results are also compared with the BNPP FSAR data.     

非能动堆芯冷却系统LOCA下冷却能力分析

本文基于机理性分析程序建立了包括反应堆一回路冷却剂系统、专设安全设施及相关二次侧管道系统的先进压水堆分析模型,对典型的小破口失水事故和大破口失水事故开展了全面分析。针对不同破口尺寸、破口位置的失水事故,分析了非能动堆芯冷却系统（PXS）中非能动余热排出系统（PRHRS）、堆芯补水箱（CMT）、安注箱（ACC）、自动卸压系统（ADS）和安全壳内置换料水箱（IRWST）等关键系统的堆芯注水能力和冷却效果。研究表明,虽然破口尺寸、破口位置会影响事故进程发展,但所有事故过程中燃料包壳表面峰值温度不超过1 477 K,且反应堆堆芯处于有效淹没状态。PXS能有效排出堆芯衰变热,将反应堆引导到安全停堆状态,防止事故向严重事故发展。     

一体化多用途的非能动小型压水反应堆发生假定事故的初步分析

采用RELAP5/MOD3.2系统程序建立一体化小型反应堆的事故分析模型,包括反应堆冷却剂系统(RCS)、简化的二回路系统和专设安全设施。一体化多用途的非能动小型压水反应堆(SIMPLE)热功率为660 MWt(电功率大于200 MWe)。针对SIMPLE的直接安注管线(DVI)双端断裂事故和DVI2英寸(50.8mm)小破口失水事故(SBLOCA)进行分析。计算结果表明:对于直接安注管线双端断裂事故,破口和自动降压系统(ADS)能有效地使反应堆冷却系统降压,安注箱(ACC)和安全壳内置换料水箱(IRWST)能实现堆芯补水,确保堆芯冷却;对于DVI的SBLOCA,非能动专设安全设施能有效对RCS进行冷却和降压,防止堆芯过热。     

Loss of flow accident and its mitigation measures for nuclear systems with SCWR-M

Based on a revised version of RELAP5, which can be used for super-critical pressure calculation, a model of mixed spectrum SCWR (SCWR-M) system is established. To analyze the transient behavior of SCWR-M and develop mitigation measures during loss of flow accident (LOFA), some important parameters, e.g. reactor coolant pump (RCP) coast-down time, Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) upper water volume and safety injection flow, etc., are chosen for the parametric analysis. The results achieved so far indicate that the SCWR-M system design is feasible and promising. Three important mitigation measures for LOFA of SCWR-M are derived from the results: RCP coast-down time of more than 15 s, RPV upper water volume of more than 27 m³, and safety injection of more than 5% of the system design flow.     

Specifics of RBMK core cooling in beyond design basis accidents

The most dangerous beyond design basis accidents for RBMK reactors, leading to the worst consequences, are related to the loss of long-term heat removal from the core. Due to a specific design of RBMK, there are a few possibilities for heat removal from reactor core by non-regular means: removal of heat from graphite stack by reactor gas circuit, removal of heat from reactor core using control rods cooling circuit, depressurisation of reactor cooling system, supply of water into cooling system from low pressure water sources, etc. This paper presents the analysis of such heat removal by employing RELAP5, RELAP5-3D and RELAP/SCDAPSIM codes. The analysis was performed for Ignalina nuclear power plant with RBMK-1500 reactor. The analysis of result shows that the restoration of water supply into control rod channels enables to remove 10-30 MW of the generated heat from the reactor core. This amount of removed heat is comparable with reactor decay heat in long-term period and allows to slowdown the core heat-up process. However, the injection of water to reactor cooling system is considered as main strategy, which should be considered in RBMK-1500 accident management procedure.     

Core cooling in pressurized-water reactor during water injection

In this paper,the reactor core cooling and its melt progression terminating is evaluated,and the initiation criterion for reactor cavity flooding during water injection is determined.The core cooling in pressurized-water reactor of severe accident is simulated with the thermal hydraulic and severe accident code of SCDAP/RELAP5.The results show that the core melt progression is terminated by water injection,before the core debris has formed at bottom of core,and the initiation of reactor cavity flooding is indicated by the core exit temperature.     

RELAP5/MOD3.3程序对非能动核电厂小破口失水事故的适用性研究

AP1000核电厂采用非能动堆芯冷却系统来缓解小破口失水事故(SBLOCA),缓解事故的理念是流动冷却。RELAP5/MOD3.3程序适用于传统核电厂SBLOCA研究,对于非能动电厂SBLOCA研究的适用性需重新研究与评估。本工作基于非能动电厂小破口失水事故的分析,结合RELAP5/MOD3.3的结构与模型,对其进行评估和改进。为验证改进后的RELAP5/MOD3.3的适用性,以AP1000小破口失水事故的验证试验台架APEX-1000为模拟对象,分析模拟DBA-02、NRC-05事故工况。分析结果表明,改进后的RELAP5/MOD3.3的计算结果与试验数据符合较好。     

压水堆核电站大破口失水事故分析

压水堆核电站安全分析报告是核安全监管部门对其进行安全审查的重要文件，大破口失水事故是核电站运行的设计基准事故，是安全分析报告中的重要内容。本文使用RELAP5/MOD3.2进行压水堆冷管段大破口失水事故的计算，对比发现一回路冷管段发生双端断裂大破口时燃料元件包壳温度峰值（PCT）最高，且长时间维持在较高温度，此条件下反应堆最危险。计算结果表明，事故发生后，一回路压力迅速下降，堆芯冷却剂的流动性变差，导致堆芯裸露，燃料包壳温度又重新回升。通过安注系统和辅助给水系统等一系列动作，能保证燃料元件包壳温度不超过1204 ℃的限值。     

高压安全注射系统对压水堆全厂断电事故的缓解能力分析

选择一个典型的3环路压水堆作为参考对象,采用最佳估算程序RELAP/SCDAPSIM/MOD3.2建立了一个典型的3环路压水堆严重事故计算模型。分析了全厂断电(SBO)事故引发的堆芯熔化基准事故后,高压安全注射系统对该事故的缓解能力。敏感性分析表明,堆芯出口温度达到920 K时,采用卸压充水缓解措施可以有效地阻止堆芯熔化,维持堆芯长期处于稳定、安全状态。     

A numerical investigation of SBLOCA scenario in nuclear heating reactor

Small break loss of coolant accident (SBLOCA) is one of the most important severe accidents in nuclear heating reactor. Nuclear heating reactor designed by Tsinghua University, whose primary loop is integrated layout and designed without main pump. The initial water volume in the reactor vessel is important to determine whether the reactor will be cooled or not as no safety injection system is designed for coolant makeup during the whole scenario. This paper simulates SBLOCA in nuclear heating reactor based on RELAP5. Transient behavior of relevant thermal parameters is specifically analyzed. Moreover, investigation also has been made on SBLOCA scenario based on different residual heat removal correlations and found the long-term residual heat removal capacity is decisive in determining the loss of coolant. The mathematical form of residual heat removal correlation is specifically deducted and can be widely applied to different situations. The envelope line that differentiates the region whether the core is safe or not under different maximum PRHRS capacity is also given.     

Evaluation of the RCS depressurization strategy for the high pressure sequences by using SCDAP/RELAP5

As part of the evaluation for a severe accident management strategy, a reactor coolant system (RCS) depressurization in optimized power reactor (OPR)1000 has been evaluated by using the SCDAP/RELAP5 computer code. An indirect RCS depressurization by a secondary depressurization by using a feed and bleed operation has been estimated for a small break loss of coolant accident (LOCA) without a safety injection (SI). Also, a direct RCS depressurization by using the safety depressurization system (SDS) has been estimated for the total loss of feed water (LOFW). The SCDAP/RELAP5 results have shown that the secondary feed and bleed operation can depressurize the RCS, but it cannot depressurize the RCS sufficiently enough. For this reason, a greater direct RCS depressurization by using the SDS is necessary for the 1.35 in. break LOCA without SI. A proper RCS depressurization time and capacity leads to a delay in the reactor vessel failure time from 7.5 to 10.7 h. An opening of two SDS valves can depressurize the RCS sufficiently enough and the proper RCS depressurization time and capacity leads to a delay in the reactor vessel failure time of approximately 5 h for the total LOFW. An opening of one SDS valve cannot depressurize the RCS sufficiently enough.     

福岛条件下AP1000核电厂事故前期研究

假设AP1000核电厂发生类似福岛核事故的初因事件,利用RELAP5/MOD3.3程序对事故早期的一、二回路系统和非能动安全系统进行模拟计算,得到了反应堆冷却剂系统压力、堆芯冷却剂温度、非能动安全系统流量等重要参数的瞬态变化。分析表明：在非能动余热排出系统完好的情况下,反应堆系统能顺利进入热停堆状态;如果非能动余热排出系统1根换热管发生双端断裂,则反应堆系统将会在5 h内发生严重事故。     

注水时机对压水堆严重事故进程的影响

以典型的3环路压水堆为参考对象,建立了详细的严重事故计算模型。选择一回路热段当量直径为18 cm的失水事故(LOCA)作为初始事件,采用RELAP5/SCDAP/MOD3.2为分析工具,对无注水、无缓解措施下的基准事故进程进行计算分析,研究3种不同注水时机对严重事故进程的影响。3种注水时机分别为堆芯表面峰值温度达到1100 K、1300 K、1500 K时开始注水。计算结果显示,压水堆严重事故进程对于注水的时机非常敏感。较早阶段的注水对于阻止堆芯熔化十分有效,注水较晚会恶化事故进程,加速堆芯熔化。     

多用途一体化轻水堆初步设计方案和安全分析

为满足未来区域性核能供电、核供热、大规模制氢、海水淡化等需求,迫切需要一种结构简单、固有安全性高、经济性高的多用途反应堆.基于此,一种多用途的一体化轻水堆设计概念被提出,包括不同设备的初步设计方案和参数;根据其特点,利用最佳估算程序RELAP5对其中一个设计方案进行了稳压器汽腔破口事故和主泵断电引起的丧失流量事故的确定论安全分析.结果表明,在保守假设条件下,其固有特性和安全系统仍能保证堆芯始终处于被淹没状态,非能动余热排出系统可有效导出停堆后的长期衰变热,从而为进一步研究一体化轻水堆的设计和运行安全特性打下了基础.     

Effect of SAMG entry condition on operator action time for severe accident mitigation

The effect of SAMG (Severe Accident Management Guidance) entry condition on operator action time for prevention of reactor vessel failure in the OPR1000 (Optimized Power Reactor 1000) was evaluated with a comparison to other conditions using the SCDAP/RELAP5/MOD3 computer code in detail. Dominant severe accident sequences, such as a station blackout, a total loss of feedwater, a small and medium break loss of coolant accidents without a safety injection were evaluated in this study. The results showed that a core exit temperature of 480 °C for the SAMG entry condition was too early, but a core exit temperature of 1000 °C was too late for operator action time to prevent reactor vessel failure. The SAMG entry condition of a core exit temperature of 650 °C for the OPR1000 was suitable for the operator action timing point in order to mitigate a severe accident.     

压水堆大破口失水事故引发的严重事故研究

采用机理性严重事故最佳估算程序SCDAP/RELAP5/MOD3.2，以美国西屋公司Surry核电站为参考对象，建立了1个典型的3环路压水堆核电站的严重事故分析模型，分别对主回路冷段和热段发生25cm大破口失水事故（LBLOCA）导致的堆芯熔化事故进行研究分析。结果表明，压水堆发生大破口失水事故时，堆芯熔化进程较快，大量堆芯材料熔化并坍塌至下腔室，反应堆压力容器下封头失效较早，且主回路冷段破口比热段破口更为严重。     

船用堆中破口失水加全部电源丧失事故分析

针对船用堆的运行特点,制定了船用堆发生中破口失水叠加全部电源丧失事故时的事故序列,运用RELAP5/MOD3.2程序对某船用堆30%额定功率运行时,一回路主管道上发生30 mm不可隔离的中破口失水叠加全部电源丧失事故进行了分析,并讨论了事故下燃料元件的完整性。结果表明：在发生该类叠加事故后,热阱丧失,反应堆的剩余热将无法导出,堆芯燃料元件会发生大面积破损。研究结果可为运行人员的事故处理和操作提供参考。     

SCDAP/RELAP5 Analysis of Station Blackout with Pump Seal LOCA in Surry Plant

During a station blackout of PWR, the pump seal will fail due to loss of the seal cooling. This particular transient-LOCA sequence designated as S3-TMLB' analyzed by SNL with MELPROG/TRAC for Surry plant showed that the depressurization due to the pump seal LOCA would result in early accumulator injection and subsequent core cooling which lead to the delay of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) meltthrough. The present analysis was performed with SCDAP/RELAP5 to evaluate this scenario shown in the MELPROG/TRAC analyses. Addition-ally, the calculated results were compared with the similar experimental studies of JAERI's ROSA-IV program.

The present analyses showed that: (1) During S3-TMLB', the loop seal clearing would occur and cause a slight delay of accident progression. (2) It is unlikely that the accumulator injection, which leads to the delay of RPV meltthrough by approximately 60 min, is initiated automatically during S3-TMLB'. Accordingly, an intentional depressurization using PORVs is recommended for the mitigation of the accident consequences. (3) The present SCDAP/RELAP5 analyses did not show significant delay of accident progression. It was found that non-realistic lower heat generation and higher core cooling models used in the MELPROG/TRAC analysis are attributed to this discrepancy.     

混合能谱超临界水堆失流事故缓解措施研究

使用改进的系统程序RELAP5建立了一个混合能谱超临界水堆(SCWR-M)模型。为研究混合能谱超临界水堆失流事故特性,以获取缓解混合能谱超临界水堆失流事故的措施,选取反应堆冷却剂泵惰转时间、压力容器上部储水空间容积和安注流量作为主要参数进行分析。研究表明,混合能谱超临界水堆系统的设计是可行的。反应堆冷却剂泵惰转15 s,压力容器上部水空间容积大于27 m³,以及安注流量高于系统满功率稳态流量的5%是缓解混合能谱超临界水堆失流事故的主要措施。